West Cook News

Illinois' 14th Congressional District candidate James Marter (R-Oswego) is convinced that his background uniquely qualifies him to successfully overcome incumbent U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Naperville) in next year's election.

“I’m the only one in the race to have backed President Trump from the time he was a Republican candidate,” the former Kendall County chairman told the West Cook News of a crowded GOP primary field that also includes state Sens. Jim Oberweis (R-Sugar Grove) and Sue Rezin (R-Morris). “Trump won Kendall County, and we worked hard to make that happen.”

Marter is now looking to put that same level of energy into his own campaign while continuing to embrace the message he's carried from the start.

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Naperville)

“The message is the same,” Marter said. “I’m pro-Trump, I’m pro-life, I’m pro-Second Amendment and I plan to join the House Freedom Caucus once I join the Congress. For me, it’s not just a message; it’s really what defines me.”

Marter says that reality has been registering with 14th District voters looking to keep President Trump’s agenda moving forward. In the case of Underwood, Marter says, she showed just how out of touch she is with her constituents and with the guidelines of the Constitution by coming out in support of the two impeachment articles recently filed against the president.

“It shows she’s not a serious person when it comes to the Constitution,” Marter said. “The process was a sham and every single witness that was called and asked if they had any facts that the president did something wrong couldn’t name anything. President Trump won the 14th District, and now [Underwood] has the most radical voting record of all the new members of Congress after promising to be a moderate.”

Marter says he is now preparing himself for the final push of the race and can feel the momentum building.

“I feel I have a level of traction with the people in the district and on social media that no other candidate can speak to,” he said.